Top 10 Countries with the Most Immigrants

Migration has become a defining feature of many countries, with people moving across borders in search of better opportunities, safety, or a better quality of life. Some nations stand out as global hubs for immigrants, attracting millions of expats through a combination of economic prosperity and political stability.

Using the latest data from the UN, we explore the top 10 countries with the most immigrants, looking at both the total number of expats living in each country and the immigrant percentage of the population. We’ll highlight the unique factors that make these regions so popular with expats from all over the globe.

Below are the top 10 countries with the highest number of immigrants, alongside the percentage of the total population made up by immigrants.

The US has the highest number of immigrants by a long way – over triple any other country. The US is attractive to expats due to the economic opportunities on offer, with a large economy that provides employment in a range of industries. The US is also attractive to foreign students, being home to many world-class universities and research institutions. In addition, compared to many other countries, the US offers political stability and safety, making it a desirable destination for people who may be fleeing conflict or persecution in their home countries.

Overall, the US has a long history of immigration, with many established immigrant communities that attract expats from similar backgrounds. Indeed, with the exception of those that are 100% Native American, every US citizen will be directly descended from immigrants if they aren’t an immigrant themselves. The US immigration policies, particularly through family-based visas, allow immigrants to bring their relatives to the country with them, creating a continual flow of migration as families reunite and expand communities.

Immigrants in the US come from a wide range of countries, covering over 200 regions across the world. According to the latest data, the highest number of immigrants are from Mexico, a neighbouring country to the US. Over 100,000 Mexican immigrants came to the US in one year, more than double any other country.

The second-highest number of immigrants to the US were from India (46,363), followed by China (41,483) and the Dominican Republic (30,005). Mexico, China, and India have been in the top three since 2019 – before this, Cuba also featured, but has since fallen to number 5 in the rankings/

Below are the are the top 10 countries with the highest population percentage of immigrants, alongside the total number of immigrants.

Many of these countries feature in this top 10 because they have a small or relatively small population. This means that even a small shift in migration patterns can significantly alter the percentage of immigrants that make up the residents.

Unsurprisingly, Vatican City has the highest percentage of immigrants, with 100% of the population being born elsewhere. The Vatican is a sovereign state with its own civil laws, but it’s also known as the spiritual and administrative centre of the Catholic Church. Citizenship is not given by birth (and as there is no hospital in the Vatican, birth there is rare) but is instead given to people who live and work there, resulting in all citizens being foreign-born. Children of Vatican citizens will lose their status when they become adults, unless they meet specific conditions.

Citizenship in the Vatican is tightly controlled – very few people hold Vatican citizenship and even fewer, (around 64) hold official Vatican passports. Most Vatican citizens don’t live within the walls of the city state, but instead are dispersed around the world to work in diplomatic service.

The UAE is the only country to feature in both rankings, with a high number of immigrants as well as a high percentage. One of the main reasons the UAE has such high immigration numbers is due to economic growth and development.

Since the 1960s, the UAE has seen rapid growth, which has created a need for a larger workforce, including both skilled and unskilled workers. As the UAE population in relatively low, these roles have largely been filled by immigrants.

In addition, the UAE has a tax-free income policy, which can be a significant attraction for immigrants. Professionals from around the world will be drawn to the emirates, looking for high-paying jobs, tax-free salaries, and a high quality of life.

The majority of UAE immigrants are from South Asia, making up 59.4%. This includes India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Egyptian expats make up 10% of the total immigrant population, followed by Filipino. Westerners make up around 5% of the total immigrant population. The majority of immigrants in the UAE live in either Dubai or Abu Dhabi.  

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